Standardised Tests for Admission to Overseas Universities (Updated for 2024)

When you apply for admission in an overseas university, whether for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, standardised test scores are often required to prove your ability.

Standardised tests are set by independent organisations separate from the institutions to ensure a fair and impartial assessment of the prospective student’s ability to study at the respective level. Typically, the test scores are sent directly to the institutions to which you are applying. It is therefore important to take the required tests in a timely manner to avoid a delay in the processing and evaluation of your application. You should register as early as possible to ensure that you can take the standardised tests on the date that you want.

Here are some of the more common standardised tests required for entry into overseas universities. The list is by no means exhaustive, so you should check with the institution you are applying to for the test requirements.

Academic Ability

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are a suite of tools designed to assess your academic readiness for college. These exams provide a path to opportunities, financial support and scholarships, in a way that's fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century.

The SAT is a globally recognised college admission test that lets you show colleges what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge. It tests your knowledge of reading, writing and math — subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms. Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school, and almost all colleges and universities use the SAT to make admission decisions.

For more details, visit College Board SAT.

American College Testing (ACT)

The ACT is an internationally administered, standardised test that helps universities to evaluate candidates for undergraduate study. The ACT comprises four subject areas — English, mathematics, reading, and science and includes an optional essay. Also administered in paper-and-pencil, the ACT lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes (excluding the Writing Test) or 3 hours and 25 minutes (including the Writing Test). More than 1.8 million students took the ACT exam in 2023, making the ACT one of the most-taken university entrance exams in the United States.

ACT's principles and research are highly regarded in the industry. International students would be well served in taking this exam as all four-year colleges and universities in the US, and many outside of the US, accept ACT scores as an indication of a student's academic performance.

For more details, visit ACT.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

GRE scores are often required by US graduate schools. Two kinds of GRE tests are available: the General Test and the Subject Tests. Depending on the course and level of study being applied for, students may be required to take only the General Test, or both the General Test and Subject Tests for their field of study.

You cannot pass or fail the GRE, but universities and departments may require specific scores. If you are unhappy with your scores, you can re-take the GRE (once every 21 days and a maximum of five times over a 12-month period, or as often as it’s offered if taking the paper-based test).

GRE General Test

The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills.

GRE Subject Tests

The GRE Subject Tests assess students’ prior knowledge in specific fields of study:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

You may take a Subject Test every 14 days. If your scores seem unusually low in comparison with other indicators of your preparedness for graduate studies, and you think they don’t reflect your true abilities, you may want to consider taking the test again.

For more information on the GRE General and Subject Tests, please visit www.ets.org/gre.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global non-profit organisation comprising graduate business schools located in the United States and around the world.

Most overseas full-time postgraduate business and management programmes, such as the MBA, require applicants to submit GMAT scores. The GMAT measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. It is used to assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management.

The GMAT is divided into four parts:

• Analytical writing assessment: An essay analysing an argument (one essay in 30 minutes).
• Integrated reasoning: A multiple choice section which measures a candidate’s ability to evaluate information presented in di­fferent formats and from multiple sources (12 questions in 30 minutes).
• Quantitative: Questions testing the candidate’s ability to solve problems and understand data (37 questions in 75 minutes).
• Verbal: Multiple choice questions testing the candidate’s ability to understand written material, evaluate arguments and correct written material to conform to standard English (41 questions in 75 minutes).

You may choose up to five schools to send your score report to, with additional reports available for an extra fee. You may retake the test if you are unsatisfied with your score (a maximum of five times over a 12-month period), but be aware that all scores from the previous five years will be included on the scorecard sent to the business schools to which you are applying.

For more information, please visit www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam.

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

GAMSAT is a standardised test for graduate-entry medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry and veterinary programmes in Australia, Ireland and selected universities in the UK. The test measures candidates’ reasoning, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities in biological and physical sciences, social sciences and humanities.

To be eligible for GAMSAT, candidates need to possess a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or be in the penultimate or final year of a bachelor’s degree course. Although the first degree need not be in a scientific field, a basic understanding of physics and biological sciences will be needed to pass.

There is no limit to the number of times you may sit GAMSAT. If you have more than one current GAMSAT score, you may use your best score when applying for admission to graduate-entry programmes.

You can download the GAMSAT Information Booklet 2024 here.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The MCAT is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for prospective students seeking to study medicine in medical schools in the United States and Canada. In Canada, most schools weigh your MCAT scores very heavily. Some schools set minimum cut-off MCAT scores that applicants must meet in order to be considered. Approximately 71,000 people worldwide take the MCAT each year.

The MCAT is a computer-based multiple choice examination used by medical school admissions officials to predict future success. It is designed to test problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and writing skills, as well as knowledge of basic science concepts.

The current MCAT, introduced in April 2015, has four multiple-choice sections:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviours
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Applicants should note that, unlike previous years, you may only attempt the MCAT for a maximum of 7 times in a lifetime, and not more than 3 times per year.

For more details, visit AAMC MCAT.

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is required for admission to most U.S. law schools. Comprised of roughly 125 multiple-choice questions plus a writing sample, this standardised test is designed to test the critical reading, data management and analytical thinking skills that are deemed necessary for success in the first year of law school.

Of all admissions tests, the LSAT carries the most weight in the admissions decision-making process, and can account for up to 50 percent of a candidate's application at the most competitive schools. An estimated 110,000 students take the LSAT annually. You can retake the test, but not more than seven times over a lifetime.

All questions are weighted equally. One of the five sections does not contribute to the score (this is used to trial new questions). You will also get a percentile rank, indicating how many people you outperformed. For the 2024-2025 testing cycle, the LSAT will undergo an update to its structure.

For more information, please visit www.lsac.org.

Language Proficiency

English is the preferred language of instruction for most overseas programmes. Hence, students must be fluent in listening, reading, speaking and writing. They are usually required to submit proof of English proficiency if:

• their country’s native language is not English.
• their first degree is awarded in a country where the medium of instruction is not English.

The two most widely accepted English proficiency tests are TOEFL and IELTS.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL measures the ability to read, listen, speak and write in English, plus the ability to use these skills together in the university classroom. It is offered as an Internet or paper-based test.

A TOEFL score is accepted at more than 13,000 colleges and universities in over 200 countries, including nearly every top university in the US, Canada and Australia.

For more information, please visit www.ets.org/toefl.html.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. It is for undergraduate or postgraduate study applicants.

For more information, please visit www.ielts.org.

Stay Updated and Prepared

Staying updated on the fees and validity periods of these standardised tests is crucial for planning your education abroad. Always check the official websites for the most current information and additional details about registration, preparation, and test dates.

Last Updated on 18 July 2024

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